Caribbean Cruise Days 1, 2 & 3

Several months ago we were asked if we wanted to go on a cruise with the members of the last bishopric that Lance was in. We thought it was a long shot and enthusiastically said yes somewhat jokingly. As it got closer we realized they were serious and we had to figure out the number one question: What do we do with the kids?? My angel of a mom graciously said she'd fly up to spend the week with the kids, I couldn't believe it!

We flew to Tampa, FL where the port was and boarded the Serenade of the Seas. The first two days were spent on the ship and I took advantage of the spa. We got a couples massage, I got a facial and a salt scrub. That salt scrub was amazing! I was pretty stressed out before we left - packing, cleaning, prepping for mom, making sure Bell Tower was good to go for our absence, and a whole lot of Christmas prep - so the first two days I did nothing but relax. It felt so good to be lazy! I ate when I wanted to and napped when I wanted to, it felt great! We did go to a concert of different hit songs through the decades

In Tampa

Setting sail

Our second evening was formal night so we donned our bow ties, lace, and pearls for a fancy evening. It was so nice to see the whole ship dressed up.

This is the center of the ship. It has 13 upper floors. It has everything needed: rock climbing wall, mini golf, 4 different swimming pools and hot tubs, water slides, stage theater, movie theater, spa, doctor's office, lots of different restaurants, a day care center for youngsters, a cool teenage hang out area with arcades and games and endless video games, a billiard room, a casino, a shop, etc. etc.

DAY 3: Our cruise was scheduled for 4 days off the ship. Our first stop was Cozumel, Mexico. Our excursion was a Rzr ride through the fields to a remote cenote. Before we did that, Lance had to buy a new hat and shirt.

The cenote is 160 feet deep and the water is crystal clear. The cave has all sorts of stalactites and the opposite side even had a huge colony of bats.

This is the land bridge, you could jump down 30 feet into the water and swim.

Here are all the bats.

These are long roots growing out of the cenote into tall trees above the cave.

This was our rickety bus we rode to get to the trail. On the way back to the port it rained pretty hard but at least cooled off.

These are to show our massive our ship was! An interesting thing, Royal Caribbean always sail somewhat close to another ship in case of emergency on either ship.